Agia Anna

Agia Anna is a small Orthodox chapel dedicated to Saint Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary. The chapel sits near the southwest coast of Naxos, close to the popular beach that shares its name. Like hundreds of similar chapels scattered across the Greek islands, Agia Anna serves both as a place of worship and as a visual anchor for the surrounding landscape — its whitewashed walls and blue-painted dome visible from the beach road.

What to Expect

This is a simple, single-room chapel in the traditional Cycladic style. The exterior is gleaming white plaster, the door typically painted blue or natural wood, and the interior lit by candles and small windows. Icons of Saint Anna and the Virgin Mary are positioned near the altar, and the iconostasis — the carved wooden screen separating the nave from the sanctuary — is modest but well-kept. The chapel is not a museum; it remains an active place of prayer, especially on July 25th, the feast day of Saint Anna, when locals gather for a short liturgy and celebration.

Visitors are welcome to step inside when the door is unlocked, which is common during daylight hours. Expect a quiet, cool interior that smells faintly of incense and lamp oil. The floor may be polished stone or simple tile, and a wooden donation box sits near the entrance.

How to Get There

Agia Anna chapel is located just inland from Agia Anna Beach, roughly 6 kilometers south of Naxos Town (Chora). If you're driving, follow the coastal road toward Agios Prokopios and continue south; the chapel is signposted from the beach parking area. On foot from Agia Anna Beach, walk uphill along the paved lane that climbs from the tavernas — the chapel is less than 200 meters inland. There's no dedicated parking for the chapel, but you can leave your car or scooter in the beach lot and walk.

Tips for Visiting

• Dress modestly — shoulders and knees should be covered. Keep a light scarf or shawl in your bag if you're coming from the beach.
• Quiet hours: The chapel may be locked during siesta (roughly 2–5 PM). Morning and early evening are your best windows.
• Feast day: July 25th is when the chapel comes alive with a local celebration. Expect music, food, and a longer service if you visit then.
• Photography inside: Permitted, but no flash and no photos of worshippers without permission.
• Candles and donations: A small donation (1–2 euros) is customary if you light a candle or spend time inside.

The Tradition of Island Chapels

Naxos has more than 500 churches and chapels, many built by families as acts of devotion or thanksgiving. Agia Anna likely belongs to this tradition — funded by a local family, maintained by the community, and used for baptisms, memorials, and saint's day services. Saint Anna is especially venerated by women hoping for children, as she is the patroness of mothers and grandmothers. The quiet simplicity of chapels like this one reflects a faith woven into daily life rather than performed for tourists, and that authenticity is part of the appeal.

What's Nearby

Agia Anna Beach is directly downhill — a long stretch of sand with shallow turquoise water, sunbeds, and a handful of tavernas serving grilled fish and Greek salads. The beach is popular with families and windsurfers. A fifteen-minute walk south along the beach brings you to Plaka Beach, wider and quieter. North toward Naxos Town, you'll pass Agios Prokopios Beach and the ruins of a Mycenaean settlement at Grotta. The chapel makes a natural stop if you're driving or cycling the southwest coast route.